Institutional Accreditation Update: February 2026

The Office of Institutional Effectiveness (OIE) facilitates UTMB's institutional accreditation with the Southern Association of College and Schools Commission on College (SACSCOC). As UTMB approaches its next scheduled accreditation with SACSCOC in 2028, OIE will share regular progress updates.

We have included in this newsletter a timetable and process description that will lead UTMB to a successful reaffirmation of accreditation in 2028. Additionally, for your information, is a listing of the SACSCOC standards by name, number and subject matter grouping. 

We will be sharing a scorecard of our progress in completing the accreditation narratives in the next newsletter.  Many of the standards have been drafted and await data to be produced this year for inclusion and analysis.

Our current emphasis is on data collection for the process-based standards (standards in the 7 and 8 series) and detailed, labor-intensive standards such as 6.2.a Faculty Qualifications.   

Institutional Accreditation Timetable
ActivityDateNotes

Orientation for UTMB Leadership

Dec. 6 to 9, 2025

Meeting attended by Dr. Reiser, Dr. Chubinskaya, and Dr. McKee

COMPLETED

 

Quality Enhancement Plan development begins

December 2025

The QEP is a five-year plan, developed by UTMB and “accepted” by SACSCOC.  We would operate the plan for the next five years and report on its impact (2028 – 2033). 

IN PROCESS

Narratives and other data due from all UTMB subject matter experts

July 1, 2027

Completion of self-study and final development of submittal documents

Compliance Certification Due (UTMB self-study)

September 2027

Electronic submittal to the SACSCOC portal

Independent Financial Audit

Fiscal Year 2027 under audit

The timeline for submittal and the closure of FY2027 are very close together in time. We will file the results of the audit upon completion.

Off-Site Committee Review

November 2027

This is a virtual review of UTMB compliance narratives and documentation. (No site visit)  Produces the first review of UTMB compliance efforts.

Quality Enhancement Plan and response to the Off-Site Committee submitted

Six weeks prior to on-site visit. Most likely December 2027 or January 2028.

A QEP plan and the “Focused Report,” responding to the off-site visit, are submitted for review at the on-site visit.

On-site visit

January to April 2028

Visitors will review the QEP and the Focused report and issue their own report with findings on each standard.

Response to the Visiting Committee report

Fall 2028

Final opportunity to address any non-compliance prior to Board of Trustees’ (BOT) decision

Decision of the BOT

December 2028

Reaffirmation of Accreditation received.  QEP implementation begins.